Shared and unique mechanisms underlying the association of trauma exposure with posttraumatic stress symptoms and growth among adolescents following the Jiuzhaigou earthquake.

Abstract

Studies have indicated that trauma exposure is a common factor in posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) and posttraumatic growth (PTG), but it is unclear whether PTSSs and PTG share a common underlying mechanism related to trauma exposure. To explore this issue, this study examined the mediating role of feelings of safety, hope, and coping strategies between trauma exposure and both PTSSs and PTG to elucidate differences in their underlying mechanisms. One year following the Jiuzhaigou earthquake in Sichuan province, China, 620 adolescents were selected to answer self-report questionnaires, and a structural equation model was used to test the hypotheses. Trauma exposure was positively associated with PTSSs by two 1-step indirect paths of feelings of safety and emotion-focused coping strategies, and by two 2-step indirect paths of feelings of safety to both hope and emotion-focused coping strategies. Trauma exposure was positively associated with PTG by a 1-step indirect path of problem-focused coping strategies but negatively associated with PTG by two 2-step indirect paths of feelings of safety to both hope and problem-focused coping strategies, and by one 3-step indirect path of feelings of safety to hope to problem-focused coping strategies. Trauma exposure is common to PTSSs and PTG but affects these differently via feelings of safety, feelings of hope, and coping strategies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).